Vol 2: Kitchen Items I Find Incredibly Chic

The image above links to my favorite list app, Benable. This article contains some affiliate links.

Happy Spring! Finally kicking off this blog with a true bi-weekly cadence. I’ll be sharing my recs, ideas, faves, etc along with business updates.

One thing about me is I love the details. I’m definitely not an interiors expert, but I like my space to feel collected, lived in, and a reflection of me. That goes for everywhere, not only the living room and bedroom, but also the bathroom and kitchen.

I recently moved into an apartment in Brooklyn that has the largest kitchen I’ve ever had as an adult (who remembers my micro kitchen?), and I am reveling in having counter space. I finally have a place for a coffee maker, the bowls I have holding my fruit and sourdough bagels aren’t crammed, and I even have the luxury of air drying dishes while also preparing dinner on the same counter. It’s truly the little things!

Now that I have the room, I’m slowly collecting kitchen staples that I a) need, and/or b) enjoy looking at, because life is too short to not have a brightly colored bread knife, for example. Below is a list of seemingly random and basic items, however there’s so much opportunity to make them unique, intentional and fun to look at, just like the rest of your space:

• Statement Breadknife

  • I never thought about this until building my wedding registry, but this is one of those statement pieces that isn’t necessarily on display all the time, rather it’s a fun treat to pull out of the drawer to use. Sure, you can get a practical one with a black handle…but what about a colorful one from La Sabre?

• Bag Clips

  • Hear me out, you can totally have some fun with bag clips! I was recently gifted some fish clips, and I use them everywhere around my kitchen. I secure food bags, but I also clip them on the dish towels, pot holders and mix them in my countertop bowls amongst the fruit, because why not accessorize?

• Wood Cutting Board

  • This is often an investment piece, and I feel like everyone I know with one has the best story as to where it comes from or how they picked it out. I’m currently on the hunt for a wood cutting board for my registry, but also I’m looking forward to stumbling upon the perfect locally made one at a farmer’s market.

• Wine Crate as Storage

  • Maybe it’s the 2000’s kitchen era rubbing off on me, but I love a good rustic-looking detail. I’m currently using an upcycled wine crate as storage for my plethora of fabric tablecloths, and I have it hidden in plain sight on an iron shelf unit in my kitchen. I’d try connecting with your local wine and spirits store to see if they have any extra (Bonus: great resource to have when moving, they always have cardboard boxes).

• Assorted Bowls on the Counter

  • 100% of my storage bowls are thrifted. They live on the kitchen counter and shelves where they hold various items, from produce to matchbooks. While mismatched, they mesh perfectly together with a collected and cozy vibe while also doubling as easy storage in plain sight. I strongly believe that you never have to think too hard about your collected items going together, because the common thread that makes them “match” is your design taste.

• Oven Mitts

  • Along with dish towels, oven mitts make incredible housewarming gifts for good reason: they're pretty cost effective, used almost daily, and come in so many fun patterns and colors. I have this mitt from Dunsen Dunsen that makes me smile every time I use it.

• Glass Jars for Dried Goods

  • Whether you choose to display them on the counter or in your pantry, glass storage jars are a great way to upgrade your dried goods organization. The glass looks sleek, and the feeling of opening your pantry and having your pasta, rice, quinoa, granola and popcorn kernels all beautifully visible so you know exactly how much there is of each is…perfect. I have this set from Amazon, but I have my eye on these classic Weck jars for smaller storage.

• Custom House Plate

  • Full credit to my mom for giving me this idea because she placed the custom plate I drew for her on her kitchen counter! If you have the counter space, displaying a custom plate adds a unique personal touch that doesn’t go unnoticed. Alternatively, you can hang it on a wall, display it on an entry table, or if it’s smaller use it as a catch tray to hold your keys, matchbooks etc. You know who to contact for one (hint, it’s me).

• Butter Dish

  • Until recently I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I thought butter would melt completely when left out of the fridge…but nope! So if you have one of these in your space, you’re a pro in my opinion. Whether you store it in the cabinet, on the counter, or on a dining table, a butter dish is one of my favorite small yet chic kitchen items that adds the perfect touch. You can opt for a classic glass version, collect seasonal ones, or go for a bold color statement.

• Dish Towels ft. That One Brand

  • This is more of a brand shoutout, but Cat Studio has a grip on me. I grew up with their Atlanta pillow in our living room, and when I discovered they have dish towels and just about any cute gift for your favorite city, I squealed. I will buy all things New York and Brooklyn from them…they make for incredible gifts, and the perfect touch to your oven handle. Fun dish towels in general that are on display are a super easy way to spruce up your space. Bonus points if you switch them out on a seasonal or weekly basis to keep things interesting.

Aforementioned micro kitchen from my previous studio; highly recommend wallpaper + vertical storage for small spaces

If you couldn’t tell, I am a list person! You can find me on a few different platforms where I organize my recs, recipes, and restaurants:

• I linked the above list items in Benable, a great platform for organizing wishlists, travel recs, and so much more. Plus, you have the chance to earn money through affiliate links. Check it out HERE.

• Spillt is perfect for organizing and discovering recipes you find online, check it out HERE.

• Beli is my dream app for organizing and ranking all of my restaurant, bar and cafe visits. Plus, I can easily add places I want to try in the future. Check it out HERE.

And now for the business updates!

• I’ve decided to share my sketchbook drawings of cities, neighborhoods, etc on my Instagram and from there decide what new prints to launch based off polls, DMs, and requests from you—what do you think? I want to be intentional and only provide the prints that people are interested in. This might change down the line, but for now I think this is a great start.

• The Sewanee prints I’ve drawn will always be available, however I’ll be editing the assortment on my site soon. If you don’t see one, message me! I still have a few new ones in progress that have yet to be released.

• Lastly, I’m working on some map plates of neighborhoods! An alternative to house drawings, and still just as unique.

Thanks so much for tuning in, and see you in 2 weeks!